phuketjock

2 hours ago, j8k said:

I don't understand what digital nomads are meant to do if they want to work from Thailand? There is no visa for them, so of course they will use Ed or Visa free entry.

 

They are doing more good than harm e.g. bringing money into the country that otherwise wouldn't be here. They pay tax whenever they make a purchase. They are not like these halfwits that work illegally at diving schools and they are not teaching English without the correct papers.

 

Good on them.

 

I think some of the members here should cut nomads some slack.

Very romantic sounding "digital nomads " they should be called " Digital Parasites"

Swanning into cafe's and restaurants assuming it is their right to occupy the largest

tables required for all their paraphernalia, ordering a coffee or water and sitting for

hours making money on line at the expense of the owner who supplies them with

a free air-conditioned office and when approached to move on write bad reviews 

in retaliation, digital nomads my rear end parasites nothing more.

When they start paying their way i will cut them some slack. 

3 hours ago, SilentRaccoon said:

Hi, all

 

regarding the 800,000 baht requirement for the retirement visa, will the thai immigration take the 800,000 baht or we just need to show them the bank book proof?

 

thanks in advance for any helpful advice

Silent Raccoon there is no such thing as a retirement VISA it is an extension of your permission to stay on the grounds

of retirement, more commonly known as a retirement extension, visas cannot be extended. You will not hand over

anything but proof from your bank that the money has been in the bank for the required time and is sufficient.  

25 minutes ago, Felt 35 said:

Can the address registration be a copy of the address I registered last year (not moved any place) or do I need to update the registration?

Thanks

Felt.

I have used the same piece of paper in my passport for at least the last three

extensions, but it is my condo in my name not sure if that makes any difference?

5 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

There is no such rule.

There was one from 2006 to 2008 that limited visa exempt entries to a total of 90 days in 6 months.

Yes I was pulled up on that one a couple of times before I retired, had to cut my time off short

to comply, or should I say immigration did.

42 minutes ago, BritTim said:

Yes, I missed that. Perhaps, you can highlight it for me.

Source: http://www.thailawforum.com/database1/immigration-law-mejesty-2.html

Any immigration officer has the power, for whatever reason they so desire to refuse entry to anyone

that they think should not be allowed into the country.

If you are looking for specifics see UJ he is the resident expert on all things immigration.

Or as you have quoted section 12 of the immigration rule book, this would suggest that there at least

11 more sections try there.

I'm sorry I am not willing to waste my time finding answers to questions you can't be bothered to

research yourself.

4 minutes ago, BritTim said:

In most countries, the law explicitly gives immigration that right. In Thailand, officially, the immigration officials are supposed only to deny entry under Section 12 of the Immigration Law. Nowhere does that Section talk about suspicion or the official's discretion (though the law does elsewhere outline an appeal process). Thailand just allows its officials (in some cases) to ignore the law as written.

Did you miss the part where it says "it is at the discretion of the immigration

officer on duty whether to allow entry or not to anyone" for whatever reason

he sees fit? As far as I know this is the LAW in any and every country I have

ever visited/worked. Immigration officials, whether we like it or not, are pretty

much all powerful in all countries in the world, including ours.

1 hour ago, BritTim said:

I am still unsure which rule you and PerthPerson are claiming is being broken by using serial tourist visas. Yes, I can see an official could be suspicious that someone of working age might be working illegally if spending long periods in Thailand. However, excluding people based on suspicion (offering them no realistic right of appeal) does not sit right with me. As Jack says, spell out what you require from people on entry, do not create a Russian roulette immigration system.

Every immigration authority in the world rejects people on suspicion, without right of appeal

I have seen it in many first hand. 

1 minute ago, BritTim said:

I am sorry, but you posted:

You now seem to be changing your position to say that immigration officials inventing fictitious rules, because they disapprove of how some are operating within the published ones, is justified. That is not the same thing, and I am not in sympathy with that viewpoint either.

Tim please don't misquote me, no one including you or me were present when the current 2 ne'er-do-wells

were rejected entry to Thailand and both admit having several previous "tourist" visas and exempt entries,

there is not, currently any evidence to suggest that either io invented any "fictitious" rules,1 of them quite

clearly did not meet the financial requirements and, it appears, was rejected for that, nothing fictitious there,

The other appears to have been unable to convince the io of his intention not to work in Thailand.

I use the word appear in both cases because we don't actually know what went on because none of us were

there. All we have the one sided disgruntled word of the 2 people rejected entry.

47 minutes ago, BritTim said:

I am still unsure which rule you and PerthPerson are claiming is being broken by using serial tourist visas. Yes, I can see an official could be suspicious that someone of working age might be working illegally if spending long periods in Thailand. However, excluding people based on suspicion (offering them no realistic right of appeal) does not sit right with me. As Jack says, spell out what you require from people on entry, do not create a Russian roulette immigration system.

I have not claimed any rules have been "broken " but I still say using multiple tourist

type visas/exempt entries for intended long stay is abusing the system. I think max

2 entries by land is quite clear to anyone with half a brain trying to abuse the tourist

visa/exempt entry, that their days are numbered, these correct visa dodgers are not 

interested that their actions are causing some io's to look at everyone because of

what they are doing they only see what they want and screw everyone else.

Then they come on forums like this and scream unfair, they are the ones treating

the system unfairly, get the correct visa for your situation or don't bother coming!!!

11 hours ago, paahlman said:

Do not worry about me.. 

 

I have lived in Phuket for 20 years already and know about that..

 

I just find it strange that such a normal thing as a pillow storage in the garden is so difficult to find.. Thats all..I am not tight at all.. But there is a limit for throwing money away.

 

 

You may not be aware of this paahlman but us normal people don't have a need for garden pillow stowage containers

that is something that is generally reserved for people with large gardens with swimming pools and such, you know

rich people who can generally buy anything they think they need for their little slice of paradise, so if you are not tight

as you say just go for it paahlman.

2 hours ago, JackThompson said:

I agree that those on ED who don't attend classes are breaking the rules.

 

I also agree that: "Their country their rules" - and should they choose to make rules which fit what some IOs are saying to people - "you cannot stay over 180 days as a Tourist" or "you have too many Tourist Visas" or "you can Only Fly In if ..." (Poipet) - then, of course, all foreigners would be bound by these restrictions. 

 

The problem boils down to defining what a "tourist" is in The Law and Ministerial Orders which govern "Tourist Visa" use - not by a definition you or I might assign to the word.  To my knowledge, "Tourist" is defined, with regard to visas, as "not working" and having "sufficient income" to support oneself.  Those recently rejected appear to be complying with both.  Yes, there could be additional evidence not presented - but the discussion about "what is abuse" is not in that context; you and others believe that using Tourist Visas as proscribed by law is, in and of itself, some form of abuse.

 

By law, there is no limit on how many Tourist Visas one can obtain, or how many times a person can enter with them, so using non-defined or non-prohibited criteria as the basis of not allowing a person to enter, then denying-entry by twisting the intent of the 'real' rules ("having sufficient means of support = carrying money in a money-belt" and then "intends to work illegally" asserted to spite having the required funds in cash) , Is the Only Abuse demonstrated in what we know about the recent reports. 

 

"They" (authorities) made the existing rules, and "They" have complete control over the rules and have changed some of them - showing this is a means by which "They" can actively tailor "Their Rules" to suit.  The 2x per calendar-year rule for land-border crossings on Visa Exempt is a perfect example. 

 

We can debate why serial Tourist Visa use is a "problem" (foreigners spending "too much" time and money here) - or if it is a "problem" why the Authorities don't end it with clear, published restrictions, allowing every traveler to prepare, accordingly.  But until they do that, what is being reported in recent posts is arbitrary and capricious, and the victims are not the abusers.

 

Your are discussing overstay - another topic entirely.  And as regards Tourist Visa policies of other nations - it is apples and oranges, in any case, due to the nature of wages, economies, etc.  I am sure North Korea is similarly cruel to those who miss their exit-date by one day - but do not think that is anything to be "proud" of.

I still stand by what I said Jack, of the 2 recent cases that all the current correct visa dodgers keep quoting.

1 had many previous tourist or exempt entries which probably made the io suspicious, and 1 had numerous

entries exempt and tourist visa + 2 days overstay and did not have the required funds. As Perthperson said

previously " if you follow the rules you are unlikely to have any problems ". 

23 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

Actually, the rules about entering with Tourist Visas haven't changed.  There is still no time-limit on their use.  It is the made-up rules of certain Immigration checkpoints which has changed.

Visa-Exempt rules have changed, however, and those changes have been published.  They are still fuzzy with regard to air-entry, but at least the 2x land-rule on their use is clear. 

Those following the rules are not "abusing" anything.  There is either a rule, or there isn't.  Rule "breaking" is the only "abuse" (overstaying, taking a Thai's job, etc)

That said, if current trends continue, I would not be surprised to see new rules come in the future - sending even more foreign-capital flows out of Thailand, and into Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, etc.

I am sorry Jack but I disagree using exempt and short term tourist visas to facilitate long stays is to me 

abusing the system, nothing more, get the correct visa, or extension that fits your purpose or don't come.

Please don't blame people who are doing the right thing for the possible shortcomings of Thailand or any

other countries immigration system. You either follow the rules or fall foul of the rule enforcers, their choice.

Using tourist exempts/visa when you are not a tourist is abusing the system end of. 

Using Ed visas  to facilitate long stays when not having any intention of learning is abusing the system also.

Their country their rules Jack same all over the world.

2 hours ago, impulse said:

 

It's certainly not unique, and I express no opinion on whether it's good or bad- though I do have an opinion.  But it is something to consider when formulating a life plan.  A lot of good, responsible guys I've met along the way had decided to spend the rest of their lives in Thailand under programs that were well accepted at the time.  It's heart wrenching to see their dreams fall apart as the rules and their enforcement change over time.

 

Lots of guys (and gals) are sitting right now in exactly the same phase in their life, deciding whether to take the big step and move to Thailand.  Or extend their holiday into a year or three.  If they believe the myths that say "it's easy if you follow the rules", they'll be in for a real disappointment when those rules exclude people in their situation, or when those rules change.  Like so many have in the 6 years I've been living here on a WP.  A WP that doesn't look as solid this year as it did for the first 5 years.  I may have to go to a retirement visa this year.  I have that choice since I'm well over 50.  Many don't.

 

My goal isn't to talk anyone out of crafting a life for themselves in Thailand.  It's to help them do it (or not) with eyes wide open to what's been happening- at least since I've been here.  It may get easier.  But so far, it's only gotten progressively tighter in the time I've been here.

 

The rules you talk about have been the rules for years and are no myths, you have been living and working here 

under those rules, nothing has changed with the rules but anyone's situation may change at any time, you appear

to have a game plan to suit you, because you are over 50. There are some visas to suit under 50's but hopping in 

and out on short term or exempt entries is not a good game plan for anyone to adopt imo and is almost certain to

cause suspicion eventually. The only real thing that has changed is that the rules are now being enforced much

more rigorously than before, they have always been there but because of continued abuse of those rules by a

select few individuals the hammer falls on all. 

4 hours ago, impulse said:

 

Bad news.  We're all here on loopholes- more accurately, on immigration policies at the discretion (whims?) of Thai authorities and based on what's in their best interest- not ours.  A lot of them have disappeared over the last 6 years since I've been here.  Some of them will last forever, some will go away tomorrow.  If only we knew which was which.  

 

I've got a lot of my money riding on some.  But that means little.  In fact, in my current profession (oil and gas), the Thai government is putting a lot of pressure to eliminate foreigners on extended work permits in favor of replacing us with locals who we'd have to train.  Several of my coworkers have been declined WP's this year after working here for many years.  I don't think they deserved to have the door slammed shut on them.

 

This is not unique to Thailand, I spent 14 years training myself out of a job in Malaysia, and 4 years after

we had gone MHS ( Malaysian Helicopter services ) were re-hiring expat engineers at much lower wages

due to pressure from the oil companies, and a couple of accidents, that's how things go overseas. 

3 hours ago, Sheryl said:

How many times have you crossed there? As there have been many reports over the years of such behavior at that border crossing.

How many times have you crossed there Sheryl?

3 minutes ago, toast1 said:

I was interested to know what products people were using from Thai supermarkets.

 

I'll look for Vanish.

 

Thanks

 

 

That is not what you said in your OP.

38 minutes ago, paahlman said:

Thanks... Will try the one in boaat lagoon... problem is the price also.. You can buy it here in Norway for 1200 baht... Compared to 7k it makes sense to bring it...

 

C

Dear Paahlman You chose to come and live in Thailand I presume?

If you cannot adapt to the availability of goods that are here and you are loathe to pay expensive

prices for the specially imported goods you want i have to ask what on earth are you doing here?

This applies to anywhere not just Thailand. Or perhaps you have the money but are just tight.

Google is your friend took me less than 10 seconds.

https://www.google.co.th/search?q=removing+curry+stains+from+cotton&rlz=1C1NHXL_enTH713TH713&oq=removing+curry+stains+from+cotton+&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l3.11083j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

A very wise man ( my Father ) once told me believe nothing of what you hear and

half of what you see and you will probably be alright. It's worked so far, here's hoping

it continues to.

1 hour ago, perthperson said:

If she insisted that she had a "retirement visa", something which does not exist,  why would an IO waste time searching for it?

 

I cannot help but believe the OP contributed to her own problem.

This is another example of why people need to understand that it is extremely important to

use the correct terminology, not doing so may have caused/contributed to this whole pointless scenario?

IMHO I think it is stretching it to say it was an attempted scam, perhaps you are over thinking it Sarah.

Been in Thailand long then??

6 hours ago, Antonymous said:

I'm sorry that you didn't comprehend the difference between a physical condition like having no feet (the example you gave) and a temporary physical condition caused by a foreign body entering the skin as a result of walking barefoot in a Thai house, as I wrote in an earlier post and explained at greater length subsequently. You responded aggressively and personally as a result of your miscomprehension and now continue to be hostile in your latest by calling this 'nonsense' and further telling me that I am undecided, etc.

 

My story has been clear and consistent since my first post in this thread.

 

I hope that the information I have shared is both relevant and helpful to other people at least.

 

 

I am intrigued to know how you could possibly know, that this offensive hair that you claim got under your skin,

was picked up from someones floor and was not already in your foot ware when you put it on?? I know my wife's

hair gets everywhere in our place. I think the hair in shoe is much more likely as stepping on a hair on the floor,

lifting your foot generally would dislodge any hair or foreign body from the foot, but if you have your foot in a shoe

or sandal or slipper with a hair in it it will be pressing the hair into your skin the whole time you are walking, a much

more likely scenario IMO.

So it may be that keeping your shoes on might have caused your grief?? 

3 hours ago, paahlman said:

Guys and girls.. You are missing the point..

 

This is something you have to walk 100 meter to find in any store in the rest of the world.. I have tried for 6 years to find it in Thailand.. WHY dont they sell it? It amazes me....

There is no helping some people????

19 hours ago, impulse said:

 

It's a public park- green space.  With hungry monitor lizards and hundreds of critters living there already.  It would have been much easier and closer to dump the guy into a neighbor's garden.

That is even worse imo, you don't want these rats, which possibly carry some horrible diseases around your

garden but you are happy to release your vermin into a public park, everyones garden, how selfish is that?

If you don't, wont, or cant dispose of these rats yourself then pay someone like rentokil to do your dirty work

for you instead of dumping your vermin on families and kids whom i am sure frequent this public park.

Keep them or kill them yourself it is not OK to pass your problem on to others!!!!         

3 hours ago, impulse said:

I paid 70 baht each for box type live-capture traps and caught the culprits (4 of them) in 2 days.  They're pretty ubiquitous in all the local hardware stores.  Can't speak for the classic death traps, and I'll never use the sticky paper again- too cruel for me.

 

Thought I was going to get arrested when I brought one over to Q Sirikit Park for a live release.  Fortunately, the guy I regularly rent a canoe from came over and spoke up on my behalf to the security guy.  Go figure...

 

That is a bit like throwing your rubbish over the fence into your neighbours garden.